Race game



N. B. GEDDES Nov. 29, 1932.

RACE GAME Filed June 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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N. B. GEDDES Nov. 29, 1932.

RACE GAME Filed June 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 h v M021,

ATTORNEYS.

. Patented Nov. 29, 1932 Noam BEL canvas, or new Your, N. Y.

RAGE em a ummn filed June a0, 1929. Serial in. 372,297.

This invention relates to games, and, more particularly, to game devicesfor simulating a horse race or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a 5 racing game wherein aplurality of racing elements are moved along a course at varying speeds,in such a manner as to closely simulate a horse race or other race in amanner which holds a maximum interest for the 19 spectator.

Another object is to provide an improved type of chance-controlled meansfor varying the relative speeds of a plurality of racing elements.

Another object is to provide means for varying the speed of differentracing elements at various parts of their course.

Another object is to provide improved means for controlling the relativespeed of 29 various racing elements.

Other objects of the invention will inpart be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the 53 features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the 33 claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying {J drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a horse race game device embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 22 in Fi 1' T i183 is an enlarged detail view along the line3-3 of Fig. 2, and showing the ball courses; Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetail sectional view along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an end View of the ball-lifting wheel; and 53 Fig. 7 is adiagrammatic showing of a circuit for actuatin one of the racingelements.

The interest w ich a race game arouses depends to a considerable extentupon the contmuous variation in the position of the racing elements andin the ability of the ame device to simulate to the largest possib eextent the' conditions occurring in an actual race. It is also desirablethat such a device be designed to operate with a minimum of attention tomechanical details on the part of 50 the operator so that the wholeattention of the operator and the spectators may be focused on the gameitself. i

There is exemplified a form of game device which operates withoutattention during a race, wherein the normal speeds of the individualracing elements may be adjusted from time to time, as desired, andwherein chance controlled variations in speed are im arted to theindividual racing elements at c ancecontrolled portions of their coursesso that actual racing conditions may be closely simulated.

The exemplified device comprises a suitable table 10 mounted onstandards 11 and serving to provide on its upper surface a racecourse 12over which a plurality of racing elements or pieces formed, in thepresent instance, to simulate horses, are adapted to move. The pieces orhorses, indicated at so 13, are normally positioned at the rear end 14of the course; and each horse has attached thereto a cord 15 extendingto the forward end of the course. Each cordpasses through a guide staple16, over a sheave 17, and downwardly to a flanged wheel 18 upon which itis adapted to be wound as the wheel is rotated by a suitable means, as bone of a plurality of electric motors 19. Fig. 2, only three wheels 18and three motors 19' are shown. It is to be noted, however, that anindividual wheel 18 and individual wheel-rotating means 19 are rovidedfor the operation of each indivi ual piece or horse 13. Since, becauseof variations in the normal operating speed of the motors 19, because ofa tendency of one horse to win an unusual number of races, or for otherreasons, it is often desirable to vary the normal relative speeds of thehorses from time to time; there is accordingly provided suitable meansindividual to each motor for regulating the speed thereof; theparticular means exemplified comprising a rheostat inserted in thecircuit of each motor. As indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 7, a lead20, suitably connected to a conductor 21 of a main circuit, leads to arheostat 22 and from the rheostat 22 a lead 23 runs to the motor fromwhich a lead 24 extends to the other conductor 25 of the main circuit. Asuitable switch, which is shown at 26, is preferably introduced in themotor circuit so as to permit any particular ones of the horses to beraced against each other, as desired. Each rheostat 22 is operated froma suitably positioned point adjacent the course, as indicated in Fig. 1,by means of a knob 27. This knob carries a pointer 28 and underneath thesame there is provided a stationary dial 29 carrying a scale Whereonrelative speeds or other suitable indications are marked. Beneath thedial 29 is a larger rotatable disc 30 having thereon a suitable pointer31. A lost-motion connection is provided between the knob 27 and thedisc 30 so that the disc may be turned with the knob in one direction toa point such that the motor under control of the particular rheostat 22in question will have such normal speed as has been found desirable, andwill continue to indicate this speed on the dial, while permitting theknob 27 to be turned in an opposite direction such as will increase theresistance of the rheostat and reduce the speed of the horse, when it isdesired to place a particular horse under a handicap in a particularrace, or to compensate for an operation of the chance-controlled device,hereinafter to be described, which operation appears to favor oneparticular horse. In the meantime, the disc 30 permanently marks thepoint 011 the dial to which the knob is to be turned when the horse isto be operated at its former normal speed.

In order to provide a racing game, the result of which cannot bepredicted, even when the racing elements or horses are close to thefinish line, and in order to hold the interest of the spectatorsthroughout the race, the invention contemplates the provision of meansfor varying the speed of individual ones of the racing pieces from timeto time throughout their travel over the race course. The particulartype of such means which is exemplified is located, in the presentinstance, at the forward end of the race-course, and is shown in detailin Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. This means comprises a plurality of pairs ofspaced rails and 41 inclined downwardly to the rear and composed ofelectrical conducting material, and mounted on suitable insulatingmeans. The rails of each pair are arranged to provide a ball-course sothat any of a plurality of balls 42 may roll downwardly along the sameand bridge the gap therebetween during its descent; it bein understoodthat the word ball as used erein refers to a suitable member havinelectrical conducting properties. The rai 40 of each pair is connectedby means of a lead 43 to the lead 20 in the operating circuit of one ofthe motors at a point on one side of the resistance 22, and the rail 41of the pair is connected by means of a lead 44 to the lead 23 of themotor circuit at the other side of the resistance so that when the gapbetween a pair of conducting rails 40 and 41 is bridged by a ballthereon a circuit is established which shorts the resistance 22 in aparticular motor circuit and permits a greater amount of current to beimparted to the motor during the time that the ball is rolling downthese rails. For delivering balls to the airs of conducting rails thereis provided a allrace comprising a forwardly inclined member 45 carryinga pair of rearwardly converging guard-rails 46 and 47 adapted to receivea ball therebetween at their rear ends. With a View to providingchance-control for the balls rolling down the inclined member 45, thismember also carries a plurality of dividing rails 48 adapted to guide aball in one direction or another, depending upon the direction in whichit happens to move as it starts its course down the member 45, and

it also carries, preferably, a plurality of additional dividing rails 49spaced longitudinally of the elements 48 and adapted to receive theballs and guide the same in one direction or another, as the ballscontinue their travel down the inclined member 45. If desired, there maybe provided intermediate the rails 48 and 49, a series of dividing pins50 which are adapted to further vary the direction of the ball in itsforward travel. A suflicient number of rails 49 are provided to form aseries of channels, the number of which is equal to the number of racingpieces and the number of pairs of conducting rails 40 and 41. The rails49 may be mounted in any suitable manner and, in the present instance,are mounted by means of pins 51 extending into holes 52 in the element45. With a view to permitting the adjustment of the forward ends of therails 49, when this is desirable for any reason, as for example, when itis found that there is too great a tendency to deliver the balls to oneor another of the pairs of conducting rails, the member 45 may beprovided with any desired number of holes 52 adapted to receive the pinsof the higher ends of the rails 49. The rails 48 may, of course, besimilarly mounted. As a ball reaches the lower end of the inclinedmember 45, it is guided by uprights 55 and delivered upon one of thepairs of conducting rails.

In order to return a ball from the lower end of the conducting rails tothe inclined member 45, there is provided a ball-lifting wheel 56 havinan open face fitting against a statioii ary p ate 59 and formed, in theresent in-- stance, with a transparent back-p ate :60 and with aplurality of radial s okes 61 and a rim 62. The late 59 is forme with anopening 63 below t e lower end of the rails 40 .and 41; and'there' isprovided a suitable ide-trough 64 to lead to the opening 63 the allafalling off the lower end of the rails. The plate 49- outer surface ofthe hub 66 of the whee is inclined somewhat toward the inclined member45 so as to make sure that the ball will roll out through the openingwhenthe spoke 61 reaches the opening. The wheel 58 may be rotated'by asuitable motor 67 under control 21 and 25 and under the control of asuitable switch, such as 68. Any desired number of balls may be kept inmotion on the ball course.

With a View to avoiding sharp changes in 3 the speed of the pieces andto giving a naturalness of movement thereto, the invention contemplatesthe provision of means for dividing into three parts the acceleratedmovement of the piece when the resistance in its respective circuit isshorted. To this end, there are provided means for pressing a ball morefirmly against the conducting rails 40 and 41 during its travel along aportion of these rails intermediate their ends, it being c understoodthat a greater amount of current will pass through the circuit when theball is tight y pressed against the conducting rails 40 and 41, thanwhen it only rest-s lightly thereon. In the exemplified apparatus thismeans consists of a plurality of wheels 69 carried on a shaft 70 adaptedto be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) bysuitable means (not shown), preferably under control of the switch 68.One

of the wheels is provided above each pair of conducting rails. On eachwheel there is mounted a plurality of springs 71 havin outwardly bentends 7 2 extending in a cloc wise direction, and adapted to be carrieddownwardly so as to contact with a ball on the conducting rails and topress the ball firmly against'the same, and finally thrust the ballalong the conducting rails at an increased speed.

As will be seen, the device operates to im-' part to the pieces varyingspeeds at varying times, in accordance with the pairs of conductingrails 40 and 41 to which the balls are bein continuously directed fromthe chane3 nels etween the dividing rails 49. An i of the main circuitcomprising the conductors vidual ball passing down the inclined element7 4:) is directed by means of the rails 48 and the pms 50 to one ,oranother of these channelsand then falls onto one pair of conductingrails, thus short-circuiting the resistance 22. in the circuit in themotor for operating an individual one of the pieces. The ball rollsslowly down the rails 40' and 41, and as the wheel 69 rotates is caughtby theouter end 72 of one of, the springs 71 and pressed more firmlyagainst the conducting rails so as to further increase the speed of theiece. As the wheel 69 turns further,,.the ba isdriven forward by thespring 71' and rolls rapidly down the conducting rails to theguide-trough 64. Thus, when a ball is directed to one air of conductingrails a short circuit is esta lished and the piece under control of themotor operated by this circuit moves forward with increased rapidity,this ra idity being further increased when the ha is pressed firmly andthen slowing up somewhat as the ball rolls down the remainder of itscourse over these rails and returns .to normal speed when the ball dropsfrom the lower end of therails.

After the completion of the race, the switch 68 is thrown out and thepieces returned to the starting point manually, or in any suitablemanner. f desired, there may be provided a car having a plurality ofagainst the conducting rails by the spring-71,

stalls 81 individual to each horse and adapted to be moved to theforward end of the course and to have the horses placed thereon. The carmay then be returned to the starting point by means of a cord 82 whichis wound on a sheave 83 operated by a motor 84 under control of acircuit in which a switch 85 is inserted. The use of such a car. assistsin the positioning of the horses for starting the race, the car beingprovided with a pivotally mounted front 86 which may be let down, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that upon the starting of the motors 19 thehorses under control thereof will slide from the car down the inclineprovided by the front 86 and onto the course.

In order to add to the interest of the game, there may be providedsuitable obstructions or jumps comprising cross-pieces 87 havinginclined surfaces, and being positioned in suitable places along thecourse. The upper surfaces of the cross-pieces are sufficiently unevenso that occasionally a piece will be tipped over as it is pulled acrossthe same, this being particularly likely when the piece is going at anespecially fast speed, as when the current for the propelling motorthereof flows through the short circuit provided when a ball bridgesrespective pairs of conducting rails.

' As will be seenv from the foregoing description, apparatus, such asexemplified, provides a game device wherein racing elements are operatedunder chance-control in a particudeparting from the scope thereof, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the fol lowing claims are intended tocover all of the\ generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scopeof the invention which as amatter of language might be saidto fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means individual to each of said pieces,driving means forming a part of each propelling means, andchance-controlled means to vary the speed of operation of various onesof said driving means.

2. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means individual to each of said pieces,driving means forming a part of each propelling means, andchance-controlled means to vary the speed of operation of various onesof said driving means at a variety of times, whereby the s eed ofvarious ones of said pieces is varied uring various parts of theirtravel over said course.

3. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means for said pieces, 'drivmg meansforming a part of said propelling means, and chance-controlled means forcontrolling said driving means to temporarily vary the speed of one ormore of said pieces.

4. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means for said pieces, driving meansforming a part of said propelling means, and chance-controlled means forcontrolling said driving means to vary the speed of various ones of saidpieces during various parts of their travel over said course.

5. A game device comprising a race course,

a plurality of pieces movable over said course,

propelling means individual to each of said pieces, driving meansforming a part of each propelling means, and chance-controlled means foroperating said drivimg means to temporarily increase the speed ofvarious ones of said pieces during various parts of their travel oversaid course.

6. A game device comprising a race course, a plurahty of pieces movableover said course,

propelling means individual to each of said pieces, an electric circuitfor controlling the speed of operation of each of said propelling means,a reduced resistance conductor bridging a relatively high resistanceportion in each circuit, a gap in each reduced-resistance conductor, andchance-contro1led means for bridging one or another of' said gaps fromtime to time during the operation of the device.

7 A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means individual to each of said pieces, anelectric circuit for controlling the speed of operation of each of saidpropelling means, a reduced resistance conductor bridging 'a relativelyhigh resistance portion in each circuit, a gap in eachreduced-resistance conductor, a plurality of ball courses eachcomprising a pair of spaced conducting elements, each pair of elementsbeing connected in said circuit at opposite sides of one of said gaps,and chance-controlled means to direct a ball to one or another of saidball courses.

8. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of pieces movableover said course, propelling means including a motor individual to eachof said pieces, an electric circuit for each motor, each circuitincluding a high resistance portion, a plurality of ball courses eachcomprising a pair of spaced conducting elements, one of said ballcourses being individual to each motor, a lead extending from one ofsaid conducting elements of each ball course to one side of the highresistance portion of each circuit, a lead extending from the otherconducting element to the other side of the high resistance portion ineach circuit, and chance-controlled means to direct a ball to one oranother of said ball courses from time to time during the operation ofthe device.

9. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable-over said course, propelling means including a motor individualto each of said pieces, an electric circuit for each motor, each circuitincluding a high resistance portion, a plurality of ball courses eachcomprising a pair of spaced conducting elements, one of said ballcourses being individual to each motor, a lead extending from one ofsaid conducting elements of each ball course to one side of the highresistance portion of each circuit, a lead extending from the otherconducting element to the other side of the high resistance portion ineach circuit, means temporarily to press a ball firmly against theconducting elements of each of said ball courses during a portion of thetravel of said ball over the ball course, and chancecontrolled means todirect a ball to one or another of said ball courses from time to timeduring the operation of the device.

10. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means including a moextending fromthe other conducting element to the other side of the high resistancepor-- tion in each circuit, means temporarily to press a ball firmlyagainst the conducting elements of one of said ball courses during aortion of the travel of said ball over the all course, said meanscomprising a rotatable element above each ball course, said rotata-bleelement carrying springs adapted to contact with a ball in said ballcourse and to press the same against said conducting elements, andchance-controlled means to direct i a ball to one or another of saidball courses from time to time during the operation of the device.

11. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, piece-controlling means including an electriccircuit, a ball course provided by a pair of spaced conducting elementsin said circuit, chance-controlled means for directing a ball to saidball course from time to time during the operation of the device, andmeans for controlling all of said pieces when the aforesaidpiece-controlling means is inoperative.

12. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, piece-controlling means including an electriccircuit, a ball COIIISG'PIOVIded by a pair of spaced conducting elementsin said circuit, chance-controlled means for directin a ball to saidball course from time to time uring the operation of the device, and

resilient means for pressing a ball firmly against said conductingelements during a ortion of the period, when it is upon said all course.

13. A game device comprising a race course, a-'.plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means individual to each of saidpieces, chance-controlled means to vary the speed of operation ofvarious ones of said propelling means, and means for adjusting therelative normal speed of operation of the individual propelling means.

14. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means including an electric motorindividual to each of said pieces, an electric circuit for each motor, arheostat in each circuit, and chance-controlled means to imparttemporary variations in the relative speed of operation of said motors.

15. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course,.propelling means including an electric motorindividual to each of said pieces, an electric circuit for eachlnotor, a

high resistance portion in each circuit, and

chance-controlled means for bridging one or more of said high resistanceportions fromtime to time during the operation of said device.

16'. A game device comprising a plurality of ball courses, a ball race,means on said ball race for directing balls to one or another of theball courses, said ball race and said ball courses being inclined in amanner to conduct a ball from the be inning of said ball race to the endof said all courses by gravity, and means for elevating to said ballrace the balls which have traversed said ball courses.

17. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means for said pieces andchance-controlled means to vary the speed of said pieces from time totime during the operation of said device, said chancecontrolled meanscomprising a plurality of ball courses, a ball race, and means on saiball race for directing balls to one or another of said ball courses.

18. A game dev1ce comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means for said pieces andchance-controlled means to vary the speed of said pieces from time totime during the operation of said device, said chancecontrolled meanscomprising a plurality of ball courses, a ball race,- means on said ballrace for directing balls to one or another of said ball courses, andmeans providing means including an electric motor, means to.

regulate the normal speed of each motor, and chance controlled means fortem orarily varying the speed of operation 0 individual motors. l

21. A game device comprising a race course, a plurality of piecesmovable over said course, propelling means including an electric motorindividual to each of said pieces, an electric circuit for each motor,a-

high resistance portion in each circuit, means for bridging various onesof said hi h resistance portions from time to time during the operationof said device, said brid 'ing means including a ball course provided bya pair of spaced conducting elements and chance controlled means fordirecting a ball to said ball course from time to time during theoperation of said device, and means for pressing a ball firmly againstsaid conducting elements during a portion of the period that it is uponsaid all course.

22. In an amusement apparatus having racin objects movable over acourse, individua l driving means for said racing objects adapted tomove them at a like rate of speed, said individual driving meansincluding electric motors arranged in individual electric circuits, amaster switch common to all of said circuits for controlling all of themsimultaneously, a resistance in each circuit for reducing the flow ofcurrent to the respective motors, a set of circulating balls, tracks forthe passage of said balls thereover, and means operable by the passageof the balls over said tracks for causing current to flow direct to therespective electric motors without passing through the said resistanceto increase the speed of the driving means.

23. In an amusement apparatus having racin objects movable over acourse, individua driving means for said racing objects adapted to movethem at a like rate of speed, said individual driving means includingelectric motors arranged in individual electric circuits, a masterswitch common to all of said circuits for controllin all of themsimultaneously, a resistance 1n each circuit for reducing the flow ofcurrent to the respective motors, a set of circulating balls, tracks forthe asage of said balls thereover, obstacles 'n t e path of movement ofsaid balls, and means operable by the passage of the balls over saidtracks for causing current to flow direct to the respective electricmotors without passing through the said resistance to increase the speedof the driving means. 7 24. In an amusement apparatus having racingob'ects movable over respective courses, in ividual driving means forthe respective racing objects including an electric motor arranged in anelectric circuit, an inclined runway, sets of spaced contact strips onsaid runway and arranged in the respective electric circuits, and aseries of balls of conducting material movable over said inclined runwayfrom the top to the bottom thereof for bridging said sets of spacedcontact strips to close the respective circuits.

25. In an amusement apparatus having racing objects movable overrespective courses, individual driving means for the respective racingobjects including an electric motor arranged in an electric circuit, aninclined runway, sets of spaced contact strips on said runway andarranged in the respective electric circuits, and a series of balls ofconducting material movable over said inclined runway from the top tothe bottom thereof for bridging said sets of spaced contact strips toclose the respective circuits, and means for picking up said balls atthe lower end of said runway and depositing them upon the higher endthereof to roll thereover.

26. In an amusement apparatus having racing objects movable overrespective courses, individual driving means for the respective racingobjects including an electric motor arranged in an electric circuit, aninclined runway, sets of spaced contact strips on said runway andarranged in the respective electric circuits, and a series of balls ofconducting material movable over said inclined runway from the top tothe bottom thereoffor bridging said sets of spaced contact strips toclose the respective circuits, and obstructions along said runway fordeflecting said balls during their passage thereover, and means forpicking up-said balls at the lower end of said runway and depositingthem upon the higher end thereof to roll thereover.

27. In an amusement apparatus having racing objects movable overrespective courses, individual driving means for the respective racingobjects including an electric motor arranged in an electric circuit, aninclined runway, sets of spaced contact strips on said runway andarranged in the respective electric circuits, and a series of balls ofconducting material movable over said inclined runway from the top tothe bottom thereof for bridging said sets of spaced contact strips toclose the respective circuits, and means for picking up said balls atthe lower end of said runway and depositing them upon the higher endthereof to roll thereover, said last means including a rotatable wheelhaving radially arranged pockets therein.

28. In an attachment for electrically motor operated racing gamedevices, reversely inclined runways coacting to provide a continuouschute, sets of spaced contact strips suitably arranged along said chute,a series of balls of conducting material adapted to roll down saidrunways, and a rotatable wheel having pockets therein for-receiving saidballs from the lowest end of said chute and lifting them to andreleasing them onto the highest end thereof for gravitation thereover.

29. In an attachment for electrically motor operated racing gamedevices, reversely inclined runways co-acting to provide a continuouschute, sets of spaced contact strips suitably arranged along said chute,a series of balls of conducting material adapted to roll down saidrunways, and a rotatable wheel having pockets therein for receiving saidballs from the lowest end of said chute, and lifting them to andreleasing them Onto the highest end thereof for gravitation thereover,and ball deflecting elements arranged along said runways for causingsaid balls to take irregular courses in their passage over said runways.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

NORMAN BEL GEDDES.

